The Oregon State football team heads to one of the worst places imaginable to try and end a two-game losing streak and kickstart the season.

Playing Arizona State on the road has been futile over the years. The Beavers have lost the last 16 games in Tempe against the Sun Devils. The ways games fell apart were dumbfounding.

Besides sleeping with the lucky rabbit's foot, the Beavers had several areas to focus on this week to improve their game. Preparation was more about getting better than Arizona State's scheme.

1. Improve the pass rush

Coach Mike Riley likes the work and ability of the defensive linemen. When he said earlier in the week that he had no answers other than more work for the lack of sacks, he wasn't giving up.

He expects his players to keep up what they have been doing and at some point there will be a breakthrough. That's how he has gone about these kind of issues in the past - stay with what is established.

The bottom line is the breakthrough must come soon. The Beavers are tied for last in the nation in sacks with two.

2. Cover receivers

It's the common chicken and egg concept. What comes first, the pass rush to make the coverage easier or tight coverage so the pass rush works.

No matter, the result is the pass defense is ninth in the Pac-10 and 110th in the nation, allowing 272 yards a game. It's not all the secondary's fault, but they get the blame because they are the most visible.

While the quarterbacks have been mainly untouched, the defensive backs haven't been able to cover receivers. The safeties have been burned badly, and the cornerbacks have been out of position and plagued with pass interference penalties.

3. Shore up the line

It's not all about the defense. The offensive line has had it rough, allowing 15 sacks. They have allowed five in each of the last three games.

This is another complex issue. Does the quarterback hold the ball too long? Do the receivers get open? The answer is sometimes in both cases.

Lack of consistency in those areas hurts when the line isn't consistent. One area of the offense must make a stand and it usually starts with the line.

4. You got to have faith

The Beavers are made up of role players who find a niche and perfect it. That plan only works when everyone stays within the scheme.

Riley made a big point this week that his players are not following through with their responsibilities on every play. They think they have their job down and try to help others. When they do that, they are not playing their role.

Reaching the desired level of cohesiveness takes time for younger players. That's when you feel the growing pains.

5. Be afraid

OSU's strong finishes to seasons have become a thing of lore around the program. A slow start to the season, being on a two-game losing streak and facing the potential to drop to 2-3 isn't a concern.

The Beavers have rallied from these kinds of starts year after year. Many of the players have been around, seen it and were a part of the rise.

That kind of talk started right after last week's loss. Riley appreciated their upbeat tone, but warned them several times that they have to earn the strong finish and not expect it just to happen.

So a fear of failure is good in this situation.